While everybody loves getting laid, there’s nothing most us of seem to dread like a first date. This is fair. First dates are usually very awkward. Think about it: you’re about to spend at least an hour alone with somebody that you don’t know very well (or at all) where you’re forced to sound as smart, witty, and cool as you possibly can while your interior monologue is busy screaming “don’t screw this up, you idiot,” and pointing out each and every mistake you make throughout the course of your night.
The risk of embarrassment is high, but it’s important to remember that it’s not just you who’s feeling awkward and nervous, the person sitting across from you is right there with you. Besides, if you don’t play the game then you never get to reap the rewards. Sure a relationship can eventually arise out of even the most casual hookups, but before things get serious, you’re going to have to go on a date. You can run, you can hide, but sooner or later, you have to take the plunge.
Choose someplace where you both feel comfortable to get to know each other better. First dates are stressful enough without the added pressure of dressing up in your finest cocktail casual or stealthily scanning the menu for what you can afford to eat instead of what you’d like to. Sort of like how models are supposed to wear their hair back when they go to casting so clients can see what their faces look like, you don’t want the setting of your first date to overshadow the main event: getting to know the other person. Save the big night out for a time when you’ve already seen each other naked and just pick somewhere you know you’ll have a good time.
Before you make up your mind, really get to know the person sitting across from you. Our minds rush to making snap judgments all the time but on a first date, it’s important to hold off on making your mind up about the person sitting across from you for as long as possible. First dates are nerve-wracking and often make people behave in ways they ordinarily wouldn’t. If your date seems nervous, do whatever you can to make him or her feel at ease.
If you’re over the age of 21, drink alcohol. There’s a reason they call alcohol the social lubricant. Nothing helps make a person feel slightly less awkward about being on a first date than a little booze. However, just remember that there’s a fine line between tipsy and drunk. You won’t remember anything about your date if you get too sloshed, and neither will he/she.
Follow your instincts. While snap judgments on dates can be bad, by the end of the night, you usually have a pretty good read on the other person. You know if you want to go out again and you know if you could never see that person again and be perfectly fine with your life. Own up to that. Don’t say you’re going to call if you don’t want to, and if you’re feeling the other person, don’t be afraid to go in for the kiss. Yes, it’s a scary thing to do, but nobody has ever walked away from a good first date being disappointed that the night ended was sealed with a kiss.